Feb. 2 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama still intends to meet with the Dalai Lama, a spokesman said today, after China said formal contact between the Tibetan spiritual leader and Obama would set back U.S.-China ties.

Obama told Chinese officials during his visit there in November that he planned to meet with the Dalai Lama and “he intends to do so” at a future date, Deputy White House press secretary Bill Burton told reporters traveling with the president today.

While the Dalai Lama is scheduled to be in the U.S. later this month, Burton gave no indication when a meeting might take place.

Why is it that whenever another country tells China to do something they reply, "Stop messing with our internal affairs. Mind your own business!" But then they reserve the right to demand foreign leaders not to meet with the Dalai Lama.